Combination treatment for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

ToPCourT: A Phase II Trial of Trilaciclib, Pembrolizumab, Gemcitabine and Carboplatin in Locally Advanced Unresectable or Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Phase 2 Interventional Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NCT06027268

This study is testing a new combination of treatments for people with advanced triple-negative breast cancer to see if it helps them live longer and feel better.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment36 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorWake Forest University Health Sciences Academic / other
Drugs / interventionspembrolizumab, chemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Trial IDNCT06027268 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase II trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of a combination therapy involving trilaciclib, pembrolizumab, gemcitabine, and carboplatin in patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Participants will receive treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurs. The study includes tumor biopsies and blood specimen collections at various points to assess treatment response and safety. The trial aims to provide insights into how well this combination works against this aggressive cancer type.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with hormone receptor-positive or HER2-positive breast cancer may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a new effective option for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise with similar combination therapies in treating triple-negative breast cancer, indicating potential for success.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information signed by the patient
2. Male or female with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic TNBC
3. Age ≥ 18 years at the time of consent
4. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS) of 0 or 1 evaluated within 28 days prior to day 1 of study treatment
5. Histological or cytological confirmation of estrogen negative and progesterone negative tumor, defined as \< 10% staining on immunohistochemistry (IHC) and human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-negative, defined as HER 2 IHC 0 or 1+ or IHC 2+ with no amplification. Patients may be enrolled regardless of their PD-L1 (programmed death ligand-1) status.
6. Measurable disease according to response evaluation criteria in solid tumors
7. Demonstrate adequate organ function
8. Female patients: All females of childbearing potential must have a negative serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) test result at Screening and negative serum or urine pregnancy test results within 72 hours prior to day 1 of study treatment.
9. Subject agrees to use contraception
10. As determined by the enrolling physician, the ability of the subject to understand and comply with study procedures for the entire length of the study
11. Tumor tissue: Willing to provide tumor tissue for research purposes
12. Subject has a life expectancy of ≥ 12 weeks

Exclusion Criteria:

1. More than 3 prior lines of chemotherapy for locally advanced unresectable or triple-negative metastatic disease
2. Prior therapy with the concurrent combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin in the metastatic setting
3. Active, symptomatic central nervous system (CNS) metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis or CNS metastases that are progressing on screening magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain.
4. Prior systemic anti-cancer therapy within 3 weeks, prior stereotactic radiotherapy within 1 week, and radiation within 2 weeks of day 1 of study treatment. Participants must have recovered from all radiation-related toxicities, not require corticosteroids, and not have had radiation pneumonitis. A 1-week washout is permitted for palliative radiation to non-CNS disease.
5. Major surgery, defined by the investigator's discretion, within 3 weeks of day 1 of study treatment
6. Not recovered from all reversible acute toxic effects of prior therapy, including non-hematologic toxicities related to prior systemic therapy to ≤ Grade 1. Participants with less than Grade 2 neuropathy or alopecia of any grade are an exception
7. Active infection requiring systemic therapy
8. Pregnant or breastfeeding
9. Participants previously diagnosed with an additional malignancy must be disease-free for at least five years prior to enrollment. Exceptions include basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer and in situ cervical or bladder cancer.
10. Treatment with any investigational drug within 30 days or at least 5 half-lives, whichever is longer, prior to day 1 of study treatment
11. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, uncontrolled symptomatic congestive heart failure (Class III or IV as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification system), unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations/substance abuse that would limit compliance with study requirements as determined by the investigator
12. Known history of stroke or cerebrovascular event within 6 months prior to the day 1 of study treatment
13. Known hypersensitivity to carboplatin or other platinum-containing compounds, gemcitabine, mannitol, or pembrolizumab
14. History of non-infectious interstitial lung disease (ILD)/pneumonitis that required steroids or current ILD/ pneumonitis.
15. Has active autoimmune disease that has required systemic treatment in the past 2 years (i.e., with use of disease-modifying agents, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs) prior to day 1 of study treatment. Replacement therapy (e.g., thyroxine, insulin, or physiologic corticosteroid replacement therapy for adrenal or pituitary insufficiency, etc.) is not considered a form of systemic treatment and is allowed
16. Prior hematopoietic stem cell or bone marrow transplant or allogenic tissue/solid organ transplant
17. Has a known history of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or known acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
18. Has known active hepatitis B (e.g., hepatitis B surface antigen \[HBsAg\] reactive).
19. Has known active hepatitis C (e.g., hepatitis C virus (HCV) ribonucleic acid (RNA) \[qualitative\] is detected).
20. Receipt of a live, attenuated vaccine within 30 days prior to day 1 of study treatment or anticipation that such a live, attenuated vaccine will be required during the study treatment period. Administration of killed vaccines is allowed. Exception: Monkeypox vaccine may be given if there are at least 3 days between the vaccine and initiation of study treatment.

Where this trial is running

Charlotte, North Carolina

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast CancerBreast-FemaleBreast-MaleTriple-Negative Breast CancerMetastaticLocally advanced unresectable
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.